Xie Qingchi

Biodata

Background / History

Family and upbringing

Xie Qingchi comes from a wealthy, influential family whose generations of marriage alliances have also produced notably attractive descendants. As the only suitable heir of his generation, he is raised to inherit the family’s position and resources 6.

His youngest uncle, Xie Jinghui, begins grooming him as a successor after taking control of the family at twenty-two. Believing that he might never marry or have children, Jinghui tells Qingchi’s parents that responsibility for the family will eventually pass to their son 55.

Qingchi’s upbringing openly endorses the use of privilege. His parents and uncle teach him that there is no shame in using controllable advantages to win; when he seeks an even contest, it is for the challenge rather than out of a commitment to equality 13.

Hostility toward Shen Shuangjian

Before meeting Shen Shuangjian, Qingchi hears that the original owner of Shen’s body is interested in him. He resents being desired by a stranger and looks down on Shen’s illegitimate birth. His public contempt helps destroy Shen’s standing among the capital’s wealthy circles 1.

The original owner joins Qingchi’s variety show hoping to resolve the misunderstanding and improve their relationship. Qingchi instead posts disparaging remarks on Weibo and withdraws from the program. His withdrawal post attracts nearly two hundred thousand abusive comments, many attacking Shen 1 11.

Attraction and return to the show

Qingchi encounters Shen in a flower-covered walkway without recognizing him. Immediately captivated, he blushes, experiences a racing heartbeat, and asks Xie Jinghui for the stranger’s identity. Shen passes him without speaking 6.

After unsuccessfully asking Li Yi to identify the long-haired beauty, Qingchi arranges a last-minute return to the show. The director accepts without objection, partly because the filming estate belongs to the Xie Family 7 8.

Playing the “ghost” in the nighttime hide-and-seek game, Qingchi catches Shen first and finally learns who he is. Attraction gives way to embarrassment over his earlier insults, mixed with pleasure at the assumption that Shen already likes him 9. He subsequently hides his withdrawal post, rebukes a commenter insisting that he dislikes Shen, and publicly tells viewers to stay out of his business 11.

Unwanted pursuit and apologies

Qingchi declares Shen his teammate without waiting for Shen to choose. Noticing his poor complexion, he offers to use special advantages to secure victory, but disguises his concern as annoyance about being held back 13.

His attempts at closeness repeatedly cross Shen’s boundaries. He grabs Shen’s wrist, pulls him into his arms, and later holds him close despite his efforts to move away. Shen becomes frightened of him and leaves as soon as he is released 14 16.

When Shen ignores his messages and blocks his calls, Qingchi tries another number. Angered by both the rejection and online mockery of his abrupt change in attitude, he makes his previously hidden post public again 17. He then confronts Shen during a livestream, but panics when Shen’s bruised wrist is struck by his phone and he begins crying 20.

Qingchi apologizes publicly and sends private explanations afterward. His message admitting, “Actually, I quite like you too,” fails because Shen has deleted him again; Qingchi responds by throwing and breaking his phone 21.

Rivalry with Xie Jinghui

After Jinghui sends him away to work for more than half a month, Qingchi discovers that viewers are pairing his uncle with Shen. He abandons unfinished work and returns to the show, attempting a friendlier approach on his friends’ advice. Shen nevertheless recoils, remembering the unwanted touching, persistent calls, and messages he perceived as threats 54 55.

Qingchi publicly challenges Jinghui by suggesting that the desert journey is unsuitable for a man of his age. His uncle’s warning about disciplining him immediately silences him 56. Later, Qingchi apologizes to Shen for insulting and harassing him, but cannot bring himself to confess his feelings and instead calls him a good person 59.

At a charity auction, a friend insults Shen’s birth and calls him a “simp.” Qingchi smashes a glass, slams the man’s head against a table, and strikes him with a bottle. Others intervene, but he still kicks the man before leaving 71 72.

Qingchi eventually rescues Shen from a crowd and takes him to a quieter area. He confesses his feelings, promises to work toward inheriting everything Jinghui possesses, and argues that he can offer Shen anything his uncle can. Jinghui interrupts the confession 83. When Shen subsequently tells Qingchi not to touch him and withdraws his hand, Qingchi tries to follow; Jinghui slaps him and orders him home 84.

Confinement and rejection

Following his confinement at home, Qingchi resists his family through hunger strikes and threats or attempts to jump from a building. His parents eventually relent. Believing that Jinghui has also been rejected, Qingchi travels to the Moscow manor to resume his pursuit 111.

His confidence collapses when he witnesses Shen voluntarily kiss Jinghui. Unable to confront them—and recognizing that he has no standing to demand an explanation—he flees the manor 121.

Jinghui confines him again and plans to send him abroad. Qingchi nevertheless reaches the Shen Residence and asks Shen whether he is together with his uncle 136. He pleads that he cannot let go, but cannot answer when Shen asks what he likes about him. Jinghui arrives, slaps him, and threatens to keep him away from the capital for years 137.

Life in New York

On New Year’s Day, Qingchi unexpectedly encounters Shen and Jinghui holding hands during a visit to pay respects to Jinghui’s grandparents. He passes without speaking and flies back to New York that night 159.

He deletes material related to Shen, avoids the internet, and blocks associated keywords, gradually convincing himself that his busy life has allowed him to move on. After noticing cold weather in Shen’s city, however, he tries to send a message. Its failure forces him to recognize that he still loves Shen and remains hurt by that love 159.

Appearance

• Build: Tall and slender, with a stronger physique than the frail Shen Shuangjian 13 54.
• Features: Peach-blossom eyes, thin lips, a high, straight nose, and sharply defined brows and facial structure 6 54 56.
• Bearing: Described as a dashing young gentleman, with carefree, unrestrained good looks and conspicuous aristocratic pride 6.
• Family resemblance: Resembles Xie Jinghui, although his usual expression is more unruly than his uncle’s reserved demeanor 6.
• Later appearance: Noticeably thinner after his confinement and again during the New Year encounter 111 159.

Personality

Qingchi is proud, sharp-tongued, impatient, and accustomed to giving instructions rather than allowing others to refuse. His privileged upbringing reinforces his belief that he is entitled to set the rules. Although he can be approached socially more easily than his uncle, he rarely holds others in high regard 13 71.

His concern for Shen often emerges as criticism or aggression. He conceals worry about Shen’s health behind complaints about losing, mistakes intrusive behavior for friendliness, and reacts angrily when his affection becomes a subject of public teasing. These habits prevent him from understanding why Shen fears and avoids him 13 17 55.

Despite his pride, Shen’s distress can make him immediately apologetic and flustered. His remorse does not readily become acceptance, however: he continues pursuing Shen after rejection and would rather remain entangled through resentment than hold no place in Shen’s feelings at all 21 137.

Abilities & Skills

Driving

Qingchi demonstrates skilled vehicle control during his return to the desert filming location 54.

• Drives quickly and smoothly despite difficult desert conditions.
• Executes a conspicuous drifting turn before stopping near the group.

Relationships

• Shen Shuangjian — Initially the target of Qingchi’s contempt, then his unrequited love interest. Qingchi’s attraction begins before he recognizes Shen, while his subsequent harassment makes Shen wary of him. His later apologies and confessions do not lead to a relationship 1 6 55 83 137.
• Xie Jinghui — Youngest uncle, family head, mentor, and romantic rival. Qingchi initially admires and fears him, but challenges his authority over Shen. Jinghui repeatedly confines and disciplines him 55 56 84 136.
• Shen Sixian — Shen Shuangjian’s elder brother. Sixian considers Qingchi arrogant and unproductive, and deliberately blocks his attempt to approach Shen at the Moscow manor 111.
• Yu Sheng — Fellow participant and rival for Shen’s attention. Qingchi resents his attentive behavior and interrupts his attempt to obtain Shen’s opinion of his cooking with an insult 111.
• Li Yi — Contact whom Qingchi asks to identify the beauty he encountered. Li Yi recognizes the description but avoids revealing Shen’s name 7 8.

Notable Quotes

“Stay out of my business. Stop spending all day trying to read into every little thing I say.” 11

“I’ll work hard to inherit everything my youngest uncle has. Whatever he can give you, I can give you too.” 83

“I, I like you. I don’t want to let go. I don’t want to leave it at this. I can’t accept it...” 137

Trivia

• His appearance is explicitly credited with helping him gain substantial online fame 6.
• The nickname “the fastest man in history” mocks his speed on the racetrack, rapid withdrawal and return to the show, quick capture during hide-and-seek, and sudden reversal toward Shen 17.
• Despite his swagger and public reputation, he states that he has never been in a romantic relationship 76 83.